Colourful and joyous 50th Malaysia Day celebration

Today's 50th Malaysia Day celebration was an enjoyable and colourful one with thousands of people, including foreigners, converging to Padang Merdeka, the venue of the event, as early as 7am, to watch the parade.

The celebration began soon after the arrival of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah at 8am, who were greeted on arrival by the Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The national anthem was then played, accompanied by a fly-past by two Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopters and 21 gun-salute by the Royal Artillery Regiment, Penrissen camp.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong the inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by the 13th battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Al Juharjie Muhamud.

This wan then followed by the reading of the Rukun Negara pledge by Zakaria Manan, accompanied by 50 youths from various ethnics.

A special video on "50 Tahun Jubli Emas Sarawak Harmoni Kemakmuran Dinikmati" was showed on a large screen at the field before Abdul Taib gave his speech, followed by Najib.

The Malaysia Day parade was held after the speeches and for this year it was divided into three parts, the walk-past, vehicle-past and cultural performance.

The contingents in the walk-past included the flag bearers, uniformed bodies, the public and private sectors and defence.

The highlight of the almost three-hour parade was the cultural and dance performances, as well as singing, with the theme "Sarawak Harmoni Kemakmuran Dinikmati" (Harmonious Sarawak, Prosperity Enjoyed), by 1,500 participants.